Coleman's Eligibility Clock Is Reset

Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn received good news on the status of offensive lineman Shon Coleman.

Auburn, Ala.--Auburn football player Shon Coleman, who is making a strong recovery from his extensive battle with a serious form of cancer, will have four years of college football eligibility thanks to a ruling from the NCAA.

The high school All-American offensive lineman from Olive Branch, Miss., signed with the Tigers in February of 2010. However, the following spring he was diagnosed a deadly form of cancer that affects children and teen-agers.

With a new type of treatment pioneered by St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis the football player has been able to recover from his acute lymphoblast leukemia.

In April of 2012 he was able to practice for the first time at Auburn although it was in a limited capacity. He was part of the team during the 2012 season, however, he did not play in a game. The ruling he has received from the NCAA has changed his eligibility clock, making him a redshirt freshman for the 2013 season.

Shon Coleman is shown at an Auburn practice.

"This is great news for Shon, who has been through a lot medically during the last few years," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said on Friday. "He has been courageous in his fight and we look forward to him returning to the football field.

"We're also very appreciative of the NCAA staff for their understanding of his situation and granting him his sixth year," the coach added.

Coleman was rated as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Mississippi by Scout.com as a senior at Olive Branch High. He played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and the U.S. Army All-American Game.

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